POLICE have revealed they are pleased with the jail sentences handed out to Pompey thugs for violent disorder ahead of the Plymouth match last year after confessing: ‘We wanted prison terms.’ Swift action from cops saved the day after intelligence sources revealed Pompey yobs were lying in wait to ambush their Plymouth counterparts ahead of the League Two match in April last year.

Stills from body-worn police cameras during violence before the Pompey-Plymouth game in 2017

Pompey thugs unleash terror in the city Over 100 extra police officers were drafted in at the last minute – costing the taxpayer £43,000 and Pompey £13,000 – as the authorities looked to stifle trouble ahead of the clash.

Jail terms for eight of the thugs along with suspended sentences for the rest of the eight yobs at Portsmouth Crown Court sent out a clear message that trouble will not be tolerated, police said.

No mercy shown as judge jails eight Pompey hooligans Superintendent Kelly Whiting, who was lead commander of the operation ahead of the match, told The News exclusively: ‘It’s a really good result for the police and club after a lot of time and effort went into this. ‘On the day we had 100 officers because we thought there would be disorder as there traditionally is for this fixture. We also had intelligence saying there would be trouble.

Judge slates Pompey hooligans as a throwback to bygone past ‘The real work started afterwards when we had to review all the CCTV and body worn footage and take statements from officers. This took weeks if not months to review it all before we could bring charges.’ Supt Whiting revealed many of the hooligans have been plaguing the city for years but said things are much safer now. She said: ‘These are people who have been causing problems at Portsmouth Football Club for years and since we’ve taken them out there has been far less disorder.

‘It just shows that a handful of people that like to call themselves fans can cause real problems for the many who just want to go and watch a game. ‘There were families and children walking around Guildhall Square where most of this trouble happened so it’s also good for the public as we’ve been able to dampen violence. There’s hardly been any trouble at all since we caught those involved in this.’

Supt Whiting admitted it was scary to watch the tidal wave of violence unfold as she operated proceedings from the control centre. This involved using ‘dangerous tactics’ with dogs, horses and police in riot gear that is only used in exceptional situations. She said: ‘I was frightened to watch it all – and I was only sat in the control room. I was having to make sure resources were being commanded correctly to make sure resources were in the right place and using the tactics that were proportionate and legitimate.

’ Supt Whiting added: ‘We wanted prison sentences because this group has been disruptive for a few years now and they’ve had all the warnings they can possible have.

‘This will certainly solve the problem in the short term but whether it will in the long term is anyone’s guess.’

VIDEO/PICS: " FOOTBALL FANS JAILED "

POMPEY football thugs who terrorised Portsmouth city centre ahead of a Plymouth game were shown no mercy by a judge who threw eight hooligans behind bars for a total of nearly 10 years.

Friday 14th September 2018

The gang of 16 defendants, who appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court throughout the week, were clinging to the hope they may be spared jail for their violent disorder before the League Two clash in April last year.

Stills from body-worn police cameras during violence before the Pompey-Plymouth game in 2017. 'Eight men have now been jailed.

But those hopes were crushed for half of them as one by one they were sent down.

Despite lengthy running battles against police in Guildhall Square and clashes with Plymouth fans, including where one was repeatedly booted like a football, things could have been far worse.

Sentencing the group, Judge Timothy Mousley said: ‘It is a matter of luck there were no serious injuries especially to the man on the floor getting kicked.’

Robbie Fowler, 22, of April Square, Landport, was handed the longest jail term out of the hooligans after he was given two years behind bars and a six year football banning order.

Judge Mousley told Fowler, who was serving a four year banning order at the time, he was the ‘most prominent among the group’ with him seen ‘limbering up’ to fight. Chief among his offences in amongst the constant violent disorder were him kicking out at a police dog and trying to get a policeman to fight him.

Matthew Allinson, 33, of Frogmore Lane, Waterlooville was given 18 months jail and a six year football banning order.

Richard Hampshire, 26, of Tudor Crescent, was given 14 months custody and a six year football banning order.

Ryan Keating, 19, of Oxenwood Green, Havant, was given 13 months in a young offenders institute and a six year football banning order.

Anthony Hopkins, 22, of Langley Road, Buckland, was given 12 months prison and a six year football banning order.

Tommy Russell, 20, of Appleshaw Green, Havant, received 12 months at a young offenders institute and a six year banning order.

Harley Hawkins, 19, of Whitecliffe Avenue, Copnor, was handed the same sentence.

Sean Mitchell, 46, of Chaucer Drive, Chichester, was handed 14 months prison and a six year football banning order.

Simon Hore, 33, of Medina Road, Cosham, was given 13 months prison suspended for 18 months, 250 hours unpaid work, compensation of £250 to Pompey and a four year football banning order.

Louis Glasspool received the same sentence but was given 10 months at a young offenders institute suspended for 18 months.

Harry Jarvie, 21, of Manor Road, Buckland also received the same but was given 12 months jail suspended for 18 months.

Connor Bowen, 19, of Lower Farlington Road, Farlington, was handed eight months in a detention centre suspended for 18 months, was given 250 hours unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation days, told to pay Pompey £250 and given a four year football banning order.

Tommy Houlden, 19, of Hayling Avenue, Copnor, was given the same as Bowen but was given 15 months at a detention centre suspended for 18 months and 15 rehabilitation days.

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